Usually you see tourists perching between President Franklin D. Roosevel and Winston Churchill, but I was lucky to catch a moment when they were simply carrying on their bronzed conversation as two WWII leaders. The sculpture, Allies by Lawrence Holofcener, sits where Old Bond Street becomes New Bond Street. A commemoration of fifty years of peace, it was installed by the Bond Street Association in 1995. Bond Street is probably the most expensive shopping street in the world, studded with international boutiques. One of them, below, is Ralph Lauren, which occupies (among other locations) the original premises of Savory and Moore, an apothecary established in 1794. At the right, their name is still in evidence. Thank you, Ralph Lauren, for preserving this historic store front! (click on photos for full views)
Above: Savory & Moore's Cold Cream jar on the left; Sotheby's, Bond Street, right. Below, left, another American clothing giant, Abercrombie & Fitch, occupies #7 Burlington Gardens, an historic building just behind Burlington House, aka #42 Saville Row; built in 1725, is was originally a residence, Queensberry House, later Uxbridge House; before A&F, it was a branch of the Bank of England. Nearby, One Saville Row is the home of Gieves & Hawks, bespoke tailoring. The building was occupied by the Royal Geographical Society until 1912.
Mayfair buildings have many blue plaques indicating they were once associated (usually as residences) with famous people. The one on the left, above, is high on the building and difficult to read. It honors Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, who lived here. It concludes "Fell at Trafalgar, 1805." On the right, the birthplace of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, 1847-1929, Prime Minister and First Chairman of the London County Council.
Below, L, Ely House, 37,Dover Street, the London showrooms of Mallett, a fine antique dealer. They were hosting an exhibit "The Age of Elegance" when I visited in 2013. Middle is the Saloon, and R, the hallway.
Below, L, Ely House, 37,Dover Street, the London showrooms of Mallett, a fine antique dealer. They were hosting an exhibit "The Age of Elegance" when I visited in 2013. Middle is the Saloon, and R, the hallway.
Above L, the graceful staircase, M, the Venetian Room, R, the Grey Room. All the items were for sale, and I only wish I had a fortune. I wanted every one of them. Ely House was built in 1770 for the Bishop of Ely, and it is beautifully maintained.
Below, L. Burger and Lobster, 29 Clarges Street, a favorite restaurant for a delicious meal; M, our table; R. One of Mayfair's many delightful watering holes, Mr. Fogg's, where assorted mementos of the man who traveled around the world in 80 days are assembled.
Below, L. Burger and Lobster, 29 Clarges Street, a favorite restaurant for a delicious meal; M, our table; R. One of Mayfair's many delightful watering holes, Mr. Fogg's, where assorted mementos of the man who traveled around the world in 80 days are assembled.
Above L, what Mr. Fogg's is all about; M and L: the elegant loo at Mr. Fogg;s, worth a visit in itself! Below, L, The Only Running Footman, the pub at 5, Charles Street, now posh, which used to be the hangout for servants from Mayfair's great houses; M, The Iron Duke, 11, Avery Row, full of Wellington memorabilia; and my favorite browsing mall, Gray's Antique Centre, 58 Davies Street, chock full of fascinating little speciality shops, some even affordable.
No doubt I will return to Mayfair as a topic in the future, because I can;t stay away! But for the time being, the previous posts will have to do...though there are many other spots I could name...Halcyon Days, Burberry's -- oh, no, not this time!!!
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